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Sunday, June 06, 2010

Recycled Projects

I was not pleased at all with my project and was quite relieved when the TV guesting did not push through. They wanted me to make 5 organizers from recycled materials. For the first project, I used a graham cracker plastic container which I filled with toilet paper rolls and some cardboard to make divisions. Double sided tape was very useful to attach all the rolls together, to the sides of the container, and to the cardboard divisions.
I then covered the container with papemelroti paper and craft cuts.
I made other organizers out of cereal boxes and soup cans, etc. but didn't take pictures of it as I was rushed for for time, only to discover that the shoot was rescheduled!

But look what I found on the web! I looked around for things we usually throw away and how they can be repurposed, recycled, or just made prettier so you DON'T throw them away!

Aren't these resealable plastic bags wonderful? Babalisme used markers to make designs on them. I was thinking that they would be used again and again because they were so pretty!
And how about these toothbrush bracelets below?
Click on the picture to go to the instructions for bending toothbrushes. I wouldn't like to make them to use as bracelets, but wouldn't they go with some fused plastic bags as a handle?
Here's a guide to making those cereal boxes into magazine organizers. If you make several, add a label to identify the magazines and the year, I think they'd be quite useful.

And my personal favorite, crocheting plastic bag strips into a bag.
I tried this a couple of years ago in the hopes of starting a livelihood project for mothers of streetchildren but it hasn't gotten off the ground yet. There are lots of crochet patterns available like this one. Some women have been making sun hats out of these plastic bags!
So those are some of my finds. I'm always amazed at the variety of projects we can find on the web!

11 comments:

  1. Hello Patsy!
    LOVE THIS! I think your graham cracker box is a WONDERFUL idea!
    And YES you can join in with our Sorority! Everyone can join in! Just post the button and have the project ready to post on June 25th. I think we are all going to have a great time!
    Off to add you to the list . . . see you soon!
    Karen ~ Some days are diamonds

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  2. I love all your recycled ideas. It's ironic that my blogger of the day a day or so ago was the one where I saw the awesome baggies for the first time. Aren't they a hoot?

    I'm here to see your plastic banners that Tess was blogging about. I can't get acrylic paint or gesso to stick to mine (like Tess, I used plastic grocery bags).

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  3. wowsers, such great ideas!
    did I catch you are going to be on TV??? Make sure you let me know when and where okay!!!!

    oh, I wanted to thank you for all the encouraging comments you leave me - thank you! :)

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  4. like your recycled cracker box and those toothbrushes are well wacky! thanks for all these great links

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  5. Thank you for having me up there!! It's such an honor!

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  6. Hi Patsy!

    Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog and thanks for visiting! Nice to make a new friend. Your ideas are amazing. I look forward to seeing more.

    All the best

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  7. This post absolutely inspiring. Thank you for sharing them.

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  8. Hello and thank you for stopping by on my blog!
    Wow, what a lovely idea: from cereal box to organizer, and what a lovely one!
    Fra

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  9. Hello!

    Just found your blog through penny pinching party at thrifty home. I'm now following because I think your blog is fantastic!! Look forward to exploring it some more!

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  10. Great use of what you already have. I host We're Organized Wednesday this week. I sould love for you to join. There's a giveaway too.
    http://organizeyourstuffnow.com

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy